By chance of the alphabet, we sat next to each other as young children in school. We instantly bonded and became the best of friends. Together, we learned how to navigate the social awkwardness of middle and high school. The highs and lows of liking boys, and figuring out how and where to fit in with the other girls. Always knowing that we had each other, no matter what the other cliques were doing. Her house a warm escape from the terrors of my own existence.
The day I turned seventeen, I moved to another state. Standing in her driveway, I got into my brother’s car. Waving goodbye, we drove away, going to a place that I had barely heard of, and didn’t know a single person. My best friend, my rock, my place of refuge moving further and further away in the rear-view mirror.
Those first years after I left, on the phone and in letters we shared how it felt to move out and get our first apartments, the excitement of coming of age, dancing the nights away, and sharing the news of new loves, and then loves heartbreak.
In our twenties, we meet our mates and begin the next step in adulthood. Marriage and children occupied our time, but whenever we talked, we could always slip back to the cadence of girlish laughter, shared memories, the ease of a forever friend.
Then life took us on different paths. Our bond was still strong, but now we are not only separated by geography, but also by responsibility, needs, and exploring different lifestyles.
Both of us personally struggle with tragic and ever-changing family events, we try to keep in touch but it’s sparse and quick. We knew that it was okay because we silently trusted that this was also a part of the life of our friendship. No matter the time and distance the embers of that unbreakable bond were still glowing. A forever lit coal, just waiting.
Finally, after decades apart we are able to come together. We have been able to spend days and nights catching up. So much has changed in our lives. It hasn’t been easy for either of us. The trials of life, of health, of death, of finding our inner strength.
The wonderfulness is that instantly we are able to be ourselves. No need for uneasiness, or putting on any masks. It’s easy to be with that one person who knew you at the beginning when life was both easy and complicated. It reminds me of the feeling of exhaling after holding your breath underwater and bursting to the surface. The hug of that one person who knows your history; has lived through your history with you, and because of that understands and accepts the why and how you navigate some of life’s events.
Even though we may have aged decades, when I look at her, I still see that same person sitting next to me that first day in school. The sparkle in her eyes, the silly smile, and laugh that comes easy and quick are still there; no change. She is still the same steady rock, who is that calm, let’s not worry about things we cant change person, to my let’s try to control everything.
We can still get in the car and cruise around and talk and talk and talk. We can take silly pictures, and laugh, feeling young, carefree, no worries in the world. We can also cry and feel the pain for what we’ve had to endure, and for the present trials in our own lives, our children lives, or our loved ones. We can go through all the emotions in a matter of an hour. It’s easy, it flows, it’s safe, it’s trusting.
After many decades, we have reunited, and the conversation picked up where it left off!
Untangled 
☺️💜
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It was an amazing experience! ❤️
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People that you can catch up with after years, like nothing happened, are the best! They are a treasure 😀
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Thank You! 🙂
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Wow, Thanks Angelo, that means a lot. Yes, if we only knew when we have those chance happenings. As a side, I have been asked to do a chapter in someone’s book; I have it completed but can’t get myself to send it in because I’m so unhappy with the opening line. Maybe I am just being a bit too writers-mind hard on myself and should just let it go off to their editors. I think you gave me a big boost of confidence today. Have a good weekend!
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Stopped back by for a reread. What a great opening line. “By chance of the alphabet” If we only “knew”?
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Thank you! Im so glad you have those friendships too. They are indeed golden. ❤️
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sweet story-and I have several friendships that are the same kind of story-the years passed and eventually we were all down to just a few conversations a year. when the children grew up, we were able to visit as we used to-nothing was lost. what golden friendships! Loved reading a happy and meaningful post.
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Thank you for sharing your story with us! It made me think of my friend which is always a good feeling. Those besties really are, they love us unconditionally, as we do them 🙂
There’s no pressure to take part in the quote me, I think your story gives hope for all currently distanced old friendships 🙂 ❤
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Love this!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. Those old besties are the greatest.
Thanks for the quote me hope. Im notoriously bad at follow though with these. I really appreciate you including me. 😃
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Oh Thank You for sharing that with me. Just so awesome that you have that connection too! 😁
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Thank You! 😊
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An absolutely beautiful ode to friendship! 💜
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Such a beautiful story to read. I reunited a few years ago with an old bestie I hadn’t seen in 18 years and although everything had changed, nothing had changed at the same time. Those friendships are worth more than gold.
I’ve nominated you to take part in a 3.2.1 Quote Me challenge. This one’s topic is Hope 🙂
http://familyfurore.com/2018/07/18/3-2-1-quote-me-hope
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I relate so strongly to this. Last year, while working on my memoir, I kept wishing that I could get in touch with a woman who was a childhood friend up until I went away to college. We lost touch after that. Turned out, my sister-in-law’s mother went to church with her sister! She gave me her address. I mailed her a Christmas card with my phone number. She got in touch with me right away. We picked up as if not a day had passed, the bond still strong. We see each other at least once a month now, and text, messenger, etc. often. It’s a great feeling to reconnect with someone who meant so much to me, and still does.
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Yeah its been wonderful. I will be super sad when she leaves today, but so grateful for the week. I really needed this and didnt know it. A nice divine intervention. I cant believe how tiny I look in that picture. Seems like yesterday or sometimes a million days when I was that young. ❤️😊
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Love the pictures! Isn’t it great how with sone friends we can pick up where we’ve left off and it’s all still there?
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Thank You! 😊
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Oh Nancy, it is so good to hear from you. Im so sorry to hear of your extended hospital stay and six surgeries. What an ordeal. I have faith that you will come through surgery with flying colors on Wednesday. Im glad you let me know about whats happening. I’m send lots of love and good healing prayers your way. Rest and come home soon! 💞💞
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Thank You! ❤️ Yeah, its going to be hard when my friend leaves tomorrow.
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Thank you, Annika. That really means a lot to me. 😊
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I really enjoyed this. It’s a small handful of people we can truly feel this way with.
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Such a beautiful story, Alexis! I have missed you. I just got out of the hospital a week ago after a nine-month stay and six surgeries. I have another surgery on Wednesday but expect to come home by Friday. I have home health care and a mobile doctor who visits me (my surgeon has confined me to bed until I heal completely after this next surgery). But, now the I am out I plan to catch up with my fellow bloggers’ posts. ❤ you!
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This is absolutely beautiful! My heart ached reading this post because I was and am in a similar situation with two of my best friends. This post just made me miss them so much! Thank you!
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This is such a gorgeous read. It really touched my heart.
I love this part: “It reminds me of the feeling of exhaling after holding your breath underwater and bursting to the surface. The hug of that one person who knows your history; has lived through your history with you, and because of that understands and accepts the why and how you navigate some of life’s events.”
Because it is always so refreshing to not have to explain to someone who and how you are.
You captured it beautifully. Great post x
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Very welcome, Alexis. 🙂
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Thank You, Steven 😊
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I love stories like this. Thanks for sharing!
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Pingback: Blog Networking: 7/16/18 | Dream Big, Dream Often
😘
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Thank You, Niki
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Thank You, Ana ❤️
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Such a lovely read.
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Pingback: Reunited…and the conversation started where it left off – Timeless Wisdoms
Reblogging to my sister site “Timeless Wisdoms”
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Thank You! ❤️
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Beautiful! Made my day.
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Thank You! ❤️
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Wonderful story.
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Thanks Jack! ❤️
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Love it ✌❤
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